Method and apparatus for locating subterranean optical fiber

• US 20080191682A1
• Filed: 02/09/2007
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Superior Essex International IP
• Original Assignee: Superior Essex Communications LP (LS Corporation)
• Inventors: Cook, Thomas C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,532,794 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/67
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 15/00 Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/562 locatable, e.g. using magnetic means

Abstract

A fiber optic cable can comprise a tape that extends along the cable and that facilitates locating the cable when the cable is buried underground. The tape can comprise a film of nonconductive material, such as plastic, with an overlaying pattern of conductive patches. The conductive patches can comprise regions of metallic film laminated with or otherwise adhering to the nonconductive film. Spacing between the conductive patches can provide patch-to-patch isolation so that the ends of the cable are electrically isolated from one another. Field personnel can locate the underground cable by scanning the ground with a metal detector.

Claims

1-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A method for cabling an optical fiber to facilitate locating the optical fiber when the optical fiber is buried underground, comprising the steps of:

feeding the optical fiber and a tape into a cabling machine; and

wrapping the tape over the optical fiber as the tape and the optical fiber feed through the cabling machine,

wherein the tape comprises a pattern of electrically conductive patches that are electrically isolated from one another.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of wrapping the tape over the optical fiber comprises disposing the tape essentially parallel to the optical fiber.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of wrapping the tape over the optical fiber comprises disposing a slender strip of plastic alongside the optical fiber.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of wrapping the tape over the optical fiber comprises curling the tape over the optical fiber.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of wrapping the tape over the optical fiber comprises wrapping the tape lengthwise around the optical fibers.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of wrapping the tape over the optical fiber further comprises feeding the tape and the optical fiber synchronously through the cabling machine, and

wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

extruding a jacket over the optical fiber, the tape, and the pattern of electrically conductive patches; and

accumulating fiber optic cable, comprising the jacket, the optical fiber, the tape, and the pattern of electrically conductive patches, on a take-up reel.

26. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of extruding a jacket over the tape, the electrically conductive patches, and the optical fiber.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein each of the electrically conductive patches comprises a metallic film.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein the tape further comprises an adhesive material disposed between each of the electrically conductive patches and a substrate.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein the tape further comprises a polymeric film, and wherein each conductive patch in the pattern of electrically conductive patches is attached to the polymeric film.

30. The method of claim 20, wherein each of the electrically conductive patches comprises paramagnetic material.

31. The method of claim 20, wherein each of the electrically conductive patches comprises an essentially nonmagnetic material.

32. The method of claim 20, wherein the tape comprises a polyester film, and wherein each of the patches comprises a coating of metallic material adhering to the polyester film.

33. The method of claim 20, wherein wrapping the tape over the optical fiber comprises circumscribing the optical fiber with each of the electrically conductive patches.

34. The method of claim 20, wherein wrapping the tape over the optical fiber comprises disposing the electrically conductive patches at regular locations along the optical fiber.

35. The method of claim 20, wherein wrapping the tape over the optical fiber comprises disposing the electrically conductive patches at random locations along the optical fiber.

36. The method of claim 20, wherein each of the electrically conductive patches has a shape of a rectangle,

wherein the pattern comprises open area between each of the patches, and

wherein each open area is larger than each rectangle.

37. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of selecting dimensions for the electrically conductive patches to provide detection at a burial depth of the optical fiber.

38. The method of claim 20, wherein wrapping the tape over the optical fiber comprises disposing the patches with distances of separation that identify lot number of a fiber optic cable.

39. The method of claim 20, wherein the pattern identifies a manufacturer.